Fergie has given defender Jonny Evans a big boost by acknowledging that the time could be quite near to when he is a first choice defender.

Cheeky young whippersnapper, where did YOU come from? You'll be after my shirt next!Yep!

Evans made his big breakthrough last season when injuries, suspensions and whatnot (for want of a better word!) to the normal defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic saw him make 31 appearances.

At first, I think we were all a little concerned because the Vidic/Ferdinand partnership is about as good a partnership as we have ever had but it soon became apparent that whether he was covering for Vidic or Ferdinand, the seam was barely noticable.

“Sometimes I don’t know whether I am doing the right thing leaving Jonny out because his performance level has been so high. At times I have been unfair to him. But he is still young. He has a great future here and time will come when I have to put him in“, said Fergie.

Despite all the speculation, I don’t think Vidic will be going anywhere soon. The hint is surely directed towards Rio Ferdinand who spends almost as much time on the treatment table as he does the pitch these days.

I knew he missed out on a fair few games due to injury last season (and this season has been no better for him so far) but I read something the other day that really made me realise the extent of the problem…

He has missed 30 of the last 52 matches for England and Manchester United due to injury and has started back-to-back competitive games only twice since April.

With a record like that, Evans is the first choice with Rio seemingly coming back (when he’s fit) to give him a break for a game or two!

It isn’t totally down to Rio Ferdinand’s injury problems that Evans might be given the nod ahead of him more often than not in the near future. Evans is classy, efficient and the chances of him ever trying the ridiculous chip Ferdinand attempted in such a high stakes game (Manchester City) at such a critical moment (90th Minute!) are nil.

Rio remains a class act and when fit, is as good a central defender as anyone but perhaps Fergie is just letting him know that he’s now at the point where big ideas such as the one he had against City the other week will cost him his place just as surely as any back/thigh/groin strain will.

That he’s also giving a young player a big vote of confidence at the same time is almost incidental.